2019 HORROR TV SHOWS PREVIEW

Thankfully, the small screen has proven to be a treasure trove of ghouls and ghosts in 2018. And 2019 looks to be an equally ghastly bounty.

Whether your poison is blood and gore, phantoms, or human monsters, the year ahead is crammed with horror goodies.

Let us begin.

DRACULA

The king of the vampires is set to return in a new BBC adaptation.

Helming the project are the dynamic duo of Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen) and Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) who brought us a much-loved take on another literary character with Sherlock.

Details are a little thin on the ground as the writing team keep their cards close to their chest. But they’ve confirmed it won’t be a modern ‘re-imagining’ of the character.

The show is set in 1897, retaining its period setting and giving the BBC a chance to shine with another drama set in Victorian London.

Dracula is played by Danish actor, Claes Bang (The Bridge), relatively unknown on our shores, which adds a little mystery to the Count’s demeanour.

The BBC plan to air Dracula in three feature length episodes.

Given the track record of the show runners, I think this could be an exciting and thrilling retelling of a genre staple.

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS

Sticking with undead bloodsuckers, there is a spin-off TV show from the enormously enjoyable film What We Do In The Shadows by Taika Waititi.

The TV show will shift the action from the suburbs of New Zealand to the hustle and bustle of New York.

The television show has chosen its leads well, with recognisable faces from our own shores in Matt Berry (The IT Crowd) and Kayvan Novak (Four Lions) portraying our undead flatmates, who live in a world they struggle to understand.

Anyone who’s seen the film will know to expect big laughs that play with the tropes and conventions of vampiric lore.

The film was made with craft and guile by the talented Waititi and Jeremy Clement (Flight of the Conchords). Both are executive producers have me hoping that it can maintain the film’s quality.

WAR OF THE WORLDS

Whilst being primarily a science-fiction tale, The War of the Worlds is a terrifying story of otherworldly creatures ravaging our homes and murdering millions.

One only need look to the fear, panic and horror spread eighty years ago by Orson Welles’ radio broadcast of the material.

Adapted several times over the years and in various forms (hello Jeff Wayne!) the BBC are taking us back to basics with their interpretation of the H.G Wells classic.

This telling takes its cue from the original tale and remains in Victorian London as the powerful, unstoppable Martian forces land and decimate all and sundry.

THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA

A well told, creepy, coming of age story in which our witch navigated her way through a minefield of demons, ghosts, zombies and, well, Satan.

Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) did a bewitching job in the central role, giving us a character who was strong, confident and loyal to her friends.

The first season ended on a bold note, with Sabrina signing her name in the ‘Book of the Beast’ and seeming to leave her human life behind.

Season two has a lot of dramatic weight to get stuck into as we watch how Sabrina’s choices unfold, and how the decisions she’s made will shape her journey.

An exciting addition to the cast is Alexis Denisof (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) who could cause havoc for the magnetic Madame Satan (Michelle Gomez), who’s demonic form has set up shop inside the body of Denisof’s fiancé.

Whatever season two brings, I can’t wait.

And if Netflix want to throw in a talking Salem as well, that will be the icing on the cake.

The year ahead is an exciting one for fans of small screen horror. In addition to those highlighted above, there are many more shows out there to be found:

Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror will return for a full season this year, with the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch already live and chilling on Netflix.

The long running series The Walking Dead returns for part two of its controversial season nine, with the introduction of ‘The Whisperers’ (humans wearing zombie skin). It’ll make The Walkers scary again after all these years.

If you’re looking for something more light-hearted, Netflix’s hit show Santa Clarita Diet returns for season three, with its unique blend of comedy and stomach-churning gore continuing to terrorise the suburbs.

So, fellow horror-mongers, 2019 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for horror of all shapes and sizes.